$200 Eee PC coming in 2009

While the so-called $100 laptop has yet to actually sell for $100, it looks like Asus is hoping to shipits first $200 Eee PC next year. When Asus first announced plans to create a low cost ultraportable computer back in the beginning of 2007, the company promised to do it for around $200. But the closest the company has come so far is marking down the price on older models like the Eee PC 2G Surf so that you can pick one up for around $250.

Now it looks like Asus is preparing to launch a new netbook that wil actually have a starting price of $200. CEO Jerry Shen also says the company eventually plans to phase out the 7 and 8.9 inch netbook models and replace them with 10 inch versions. But while there’s no information on the specs for the upcoming $200 model, I doubt it’ll have a 10 inch screen.

I also think it might be a mistake to do away with the 8.9 inch version altogether. While I’ve decided that I prefer a 10 inch screen because it’s a bit easier to read and typically means a larger keybaord, I know that some people value size over ease of use. And you can make a netbook a little bit smaller if it has an 8.9 inch display.

Sorry, but I don't believe the $200 netbook will arrive any time soon, unless you are talking about the piece of junk Razorbook. Anything usable is just going to cost more.

As for screen size, I wouldn't lose any sleep over the 7″ screen dissapearing. I agree with Brad about keeping the 9″ screen. For some people it is the perfect compromise between size and portability.

yo

maybe he means 9 inch screens will be phased out as 10 inch screen models get smaller and smaller

DougC3

I would like to see more effort to make the 10-inchers smaller. The Lenovo S10 and new HP mini 1000 seem to be the most desirable in this area to me so far. But the 9-inch ones can keep on getting more compact too and will probably still be wanted by road warriors who need to do only light typing.

Along these lines, I was puzzled by Dell going with 9″ instead of 10″ or both. I suppose they were afraid a 10-incher would compete with the Mini 12, with which they seem to be trying to establish a new niche.

jpconard

Definitely a mistake to lose the 9″. There is also nothing wrong with the 7″. Mine been running fine since March. Note only that the 7″ as to be much cheaper to make, the extra bezel gives the LCD more protection, and room for speakers that actually face the user. I don't know about the speakers on the bottom for the Asus 9″ models, but I had a Sony notebook that went back to the store because of the speakers on the bottom. With the 7″ the sound is great. Asus should keep one model of all screen sizes and let the users decide. But just one model of the 7″, not three or 4 as they have now.

jpconard

Keep in mind people use these for different reasons. Some just want a netbook that is small and durable (like the 4G) to throw in a backpack while on bicycle or motorcycle. Some people carry the 7″ along with full size notebook when traveling. Get them into the 10″ size and these uses don't work as well for those things.

jpconard

Definitely a mistake to lose the 9″. There is also nothing wrong with the 7″. Mine been running fine since March. Note only that the 7″ as to be much cheaper to make, the extra bezel gives the LCD more protection, and room for speakers that actually face the user. I don't know about the speakers on the bottom for the Asus 9″ models, but I had a Sony notebook that went back to the store because of the speakers on the bottom. With the 7″ the sound is great. Asus should keep one model of all screen sizes and let the users decide. But just one model of the 7″, not three or 4 as they have now.

jpconard

Keep in mind people use these for different reasons. Some just want a netbook that is small and durable (like the 4G) to throw in a backpack while on bicycle or motorcycle. Some people carry the 7″ along with full size notebook when traveling. Get them into the 10″ size and these uses don't work as well for those things.

jpconard

Definitely a mistake to lose the 9″. There is also nothing wrong with the 7″. Mine been running fine since March. Note only that the 7″ as to be much cheaper to make, the extra bezel gives the LCD more protection, and room for speakers that actually face the user. I don't know about the speakers on the bottom for the Asus 9″ models, but I had a Sony notebook that went back to the store because of the speakers on the bottom. With the 7″ the sound is great. Asus should keep one model of all screen sizes and let the users decide. But just one model of the 7″, not three or 4 as they have now.

jpconard

Keep in mind people use these for different reasons. Some just want a netbook that is small and durable (like the 4G) to throw in a backpack while on bicycle or motorcycle. Some people carry the 7″ along with full size notebook when traveling. Get them into the 10″ size and these uses don't work as well for those things.